Bloodied Oaths..

The consorts stood frozen, shock rippling through them like a storm.

"This is insane! We're the queen's consorts, for crying out loud. Why do we have to kill each other?" one of them shouted, his voice thick with anger as he glared at Commander Aethera.

"Because the queen has no use for weak consorts. You all have to prove your worth," Aethera replied, her voice sharp as a blade.

"Prove our worth?" another consort echoed, confusion evident in his tone. "We're the queen's consorts, not soldiers. Is that how you see us? Mere pawns to be used in your wars? Elyria can't even face their own kind without using us humans as chess pieces. What's our crime, exactly? Is it a sin to be born human?"

Commander Aethera's expression darkened. "Watch your mouth, or you'll meet your end sooner than you think. It only takes one arrow to separate your head from your body."

The consorts swallowed hard at Aethera's cold threat. Fear hung thick in the air.

Kae clenched his fists, fury and confusion swirling inside him. 'Really? Is that all we are? Just pawns on a chessboard?' He glanced at Anna, standing by the door, oblivious to the grim announcement that had just been made.

Ding!

{Yes, being a consort offers no protection. In fact, it places you in greater danger. Her Highness doesn't need beautiful men just for dual cultivation, she can drain life forces from others without even touching them but there have to be consorts in the imperial palace afterall, consorts that are taught battle techniques to help the queen in battle and when they die, another consorts selection commences.}

Tharros' voice pulled Kae from his thoughts. "Of course we're just chess pieces," he muttered, his eyes red with anger. "And yes, it's a crime to be human. We are the lowest, most pitiful species in existence."

Kae's heart sank. 'Three days to kill Anna and now I have to kill her brother too.' His gaze shifted to Anna, still standing by the door, unaware of the life-or-death struggle about to unfold.

Commander Aethera's voice rang out over the murmuring crowd of consorts. "The theme is simple: kill or be killed."

The consorts stood, weapons in hand, their faces twisted with frustration. Aethera continued, her tone cold and commanding, "There is no mercy on the battlefield. You either fight and live, or you die."

"I'm done with this!" one consort shouted, throwing his weapon to the ground. "I quit!" He turned to walk away, only to be struck by a glowing red arrow that severed his head from his body. His opponent fell next, struck by another arrow from the wall.

The training ground erupted into horror. Blood splattered the dirt, the bodies of the two fallen consorts dissolving into the air as if they had never existed. The consorts, wide-eyed with fear, turned to see Elyrian soldiers on the walls, bows drawn, arrows glowing with lethal magic.

"Soul-depriving bow and arrows," Teacher Vynessa muttered, her voice trembling with disbelief.

Anna's mouth fell open in shock. She looked at Kae and Tharros, too frightened to move or speak, her mind racing for answers that would never come.

"That's how it works," Vynessa said with a cruel laugh. "You quit, you die. And so does your opponent. Now, who else wants to quit?" She scanned the consorts with a wicked smile. No one dared move, trembling like soaked chickens under her gaze.

"There's no escaping this," Tharros said grimly, tightening his grip on his axe. "We have to fight. Whatever happens, if I die… protect Anna."

"No, Tharros. None of us will die. There has to be another way." Kae's expression was determined, though his voice wavered.

Tharros only smiled, readying himself. "Let's get this over with."

Commander Aethera's gaze shifted to Kae, her face momentarily softening with concern. But there was nothing she could do the imperial guards were stationed, ready to shoot anyone who disobeyed the queen's orders. Even Elyrians who tried to intervene were at risk. Aethera knew the queen was beginning to suspect her, which was why the guards had been equipped with the deadly soul-depriving arrows that could even kill any elyria who disobey her command.

"The training begins now!" Commander Aethera shouted. She and Teacher Vynessa stepped out of the battle arena, leaving the consorts to face their fates.

Kae's hand tightened around his sword. Across from him, Tharros hefted his axe. They charged at each other.

Clash!

Kae swung his sword upward, meeting Tharros' axe with a ringing clash of steel. The impact jolted through his arms, but he pushed forward, his strikes swift and precise, blocking each of Tharros' powerful blows.

'Is there really no way to stop this madness?' Kae thought desperately as they fought, their weapons singing in the air.

Ding!

{There is no other way. Either you kill Tharros, or he kills you.}

"Damn it," Kae cursed under his breath, his movements fueled by frustration and desperation.

Around them, the other consorts fought viciously, the same techniques they had learned from the magical statues now being used to strike each other down.

Anna stood by the gate, watching in horror, her heart pounding. She hadn't heard the earlier announcement but could only assume this was part of the twisted training. The clang of metal and the cries of the dying filled the air, and one by one, consorts fell, the damp soil drank in their blood, staining the earth with crimson tears.

Anna's eyes widened in terror. Why were they killing each other? Her gaze locked on Kae and Tharros, still locked in their deadly duel. She watched, frozen, as Kae pinned Tharros to the ground although she couldn't see as Kae sword was held at Tharros' throat while Tharros, in turn, held a dagger to Kae's stomach.

"You won," Tharros said with a smirk, his voice rough. "I knew you would."

"No, I didn't. We both lost," Kae panted, struggling for breath. "It's a draw."

Tharros laughed weakly. "There's no such thing as a draw in battle, Kae. You have your sword at my neck. That's a win. My dagger? It's nothing. You'll survive a stab wound. I won't survive this."

"It's a draw," Kae insisted, his voice shaky. "We'll tell them."

Tharros shook his head. "They're watching us, Kae. The Elyrians won't allow a draw. One of us has to die. That's me. Just kill me and end this."

"No!" Kae's voice cracked as he fought back tears. "I can't."

Ding!

{You must. He can't kill you anyway. The demon lord's soul resides within you.}

"Shut up!" Kae roared, furious and broken, the tears he'd held back streaming down his face.

"My brother died, and now it's my turn. Revenge will be yours, Kae," Tharros said, his voice softening, tears slipping from his eyes. "You're special. I have a strong belief that you'll be the one who will defeat the Elyrians and make the world right for humans again. Protect Anna. She's yours to guard now. Don't let her die like her brothers."

"No, Tharros. You protect her. You're the only one who can," Kae sobbed. "I'll only bring her harm. You're the only one who can keep her safe."

Tharros said nothing. Instead, he gripped Kae's sword with trembling hands, pulling it closer to his neck.

"No! Don't do this!" Kae cried, trying to pull the sword away. But it was too late. Tharros dragged the blade across his own throat.

Blood sprayed across Kae's face, and Anna, who had been watching in disbelief, screamed as she ran toward them.